father concerning the state of his soul and his attitude to religion. Ken was sent by Charles to his niece Mary, about whose affections he felt some doubt. Ken was thoroughly disgusted by William's bearing to the Princess, but in his over zeal failed to reconcile them. At Charles' death-bed the staunch churchman hoped that his arguments would prevail on the king to take the Sacrament, but as the king grew weaker he held closer to the Catholic religion, and Ken again failed. But it was the accession of James that brought both of these bishops prominently into the history of the time. Burnet went abroad to avoid the wrath of a Roman Catholic king, who was his personal enemy. Chance or fatality brought him to William's court at the Hague. A friendship soon grew up, for William could trust this worthy divine, as he could not trust the refugees from James' court. Besides, Burnet achieved, by his tact and sound sense, what Ken had failed to do. Mary would be Queen of England, and William foresaw this ; there was the rub what place should the husband hold? Mary most judiciously consulted St. Paul, and professed with tears her readiness to obey her husband. Soon after Burnet, having long halted between passive and active resistance, decided for the latter, and did his best to bring about the revolution. James knew his enemy, and took good care that Burnet should not return to England before William's expedition. : In the meantime Ken had been fighting an honest but dangerous battle. Everyone is familiar with the history of the Declaration of Indulgence. Sancroft, the archbishop, headed the list of those who refused to subscribe to it, and among the bishops, who followed his lead, was Ken, whose pertinacity in resistance made James completely forget himself. But There may be some who blame Ken for his conduct to Monmouth. Certainly he showed a great unwillingness to shrive him of his sin. this was a supporter of passive resistance dealing with one who had taken arms against the King and who refused to hold himself guilty. His apparently stern conduct was not cruelty, it was characteristic of Ken, whose strict religion was sincere but narrow. It was in Ken's diocese that the "Bloody Assizes were held, and the bishop was so generous to the innocent victims that afterwards, when he lost his bishopric, his worldly effects realized only a few hundred pounds. Ken was deprived of his see for refusing to swear the oath of allegiance to William and Mary. Such was the result of his pertinacious belief in passive resistance. It was the one great fault of his life; for what interest could NonJurors have in refusing to swear to a king, who had obtained the Crown without fighting by the voluntary secession of the King? And a non-juring bishop, who was zealous for the Protestant cause, could not have consulted its interests worse than by remaining true to a persecuting Roman Catholic. Burnet's conduct was much more enlightened, but we must remember that he was not as yet a bishop. When William was established as King, Burnet was offered the bishopric of Salisbury, and having no apprehension of bribery, accepted it without hesitation. Henceforth he is to be found warmly advocating Toleration, and, if it be at all in his favour, he subsequently was mainly instrumental in founding "Queen Anne's Bounty." The private life of both Burnet and Ken was marked by honesty and unselfishness; but their place in the history of the time makes us regard them rather as politicians. From this point of view Burnet has the superiority over Ken from his more enlightened views, and, whatever may be said of his gossiping habits and his odious taste, his honesty would bear the strictest criticism. Ken acted up to his lights, but his narrowness was often at fault and the error of his life was, if we may say so, a crime as well as a blunder. THE EVENING STAR. At evening sank the wind; the sun The rose-pink faded too, and died, That star, it is a sight that stirs Of days when I would watch it dawn, When we two walked at eventide And saw the sun go down, And held sweet converse on the hill, Thrice happy days of budding sense, Beneath or heaven above; The hours when thro' thy fostering care The ripening spirit strove, E'en from thine own sweet gentleness, To find in all things, love. If thine had been the child-like lot! Like some reflexion thrown From far-remembered days, when peace Oh! if that quiet sunset glow If never cloud had cut athwart The picture that I form, As thus I dream of thee and watch The picture that I form of thee, Sweep o'er life's darkened ways. Pure eye, that reappears anon, Breaks, and lets thro' the light; Yes, mother, like that pure-eyed star, That thro' the shifting, drifting dark, That thro' the leaden interchange And warm the heart grown chill; The vague desires which hover round May touch her where she dwells remote Not lone in self-sufficiency, Not held aloof from fears- Not portionless of tears thy lot, THERE are not many American poets whose works have won any lasting popularity in England. Longfellow, Whittier, Bryant are names which at once come to our minds together with others of less note. Of these Mr. J. Russell Lowell stands in the first rank. All who have had the pleasure of either hearing or reading the eloquent and cultivated speeches which he has delivered during the time that he has been American Minister in England must experience an even greater pleasure in reading his poetry. We can hardly hesitate to say that the "Biglow Papers" are by far his best work. He combines in them genuine racy Yankee humour, and sound common sense, with a true spirit of poetry, to a higher extent than any American writer we know. The first series of the "Biglow Papers," which are much the best, were written by Mr. Lowell at the time of the Mexican War. American politics are exciting more interest in England now than they have for a long time past. At the present day our sympathies are with the Democratic party, as being slightly more free from the taints of corruption and 'lobbying' than their opponents, and a little more ready to introduce free trade.' But at the time when the "Biglow Papers" were written the Republicans were the staunch opponents of slavery, and were very unwilling to enter upon the Mexican War, which was entirely in the interests of the slavery party. Mr. Lowell appears to us the representative of all that is best in American politics. He writes as a staunch opponent not only of slavery and corruption, but also of 'humbug' of every kind, 'spread eagleism' 'high-falutin' 'buncombe' or whatever we choose to call it. How far such buncombe' goes in America at times will appear from the following parody which appeared in Putnam's Magazine. It is really not much than some genuino orations. worse "This is a glorious country! It has longer rivers and more of them, and they are muddier, and deeper, and run faster, and rise higher, and make more noise, and fall lower, and do more damage than anybody else's rivers. It has more lakes, and they are bigger, and deeper, and clearer, and wetter than those of any other country. Our rail-cars are bigger, and run faster, and pitch off the track oftener, and kill more people than all other rail-cars in this and every other country. Our steamboats carry bigger loads, are longer, and broader, burst their boilers oftener, and send up their passengers higher, and the captains swear harder than steamboat captains in any other country. Our men are bigger, and larger, and thicker; can fight harder, and faster, drink more mean whisky, chew more bad tobacco, and spit more, and spit farther than in any other country. Our ladies are richer, prettier, dress finer, spend more money, break more hearts, wear bigger hoops, shorter dresses, and kick up the devil generally to a greater extent than all other ladies in all other countries. Our children squall louder, grow faster, get too expansive for their pantaloons, and become twenty years old sooner by some months than any other children of any other country on the earth." The "Biglow Papers" are written in genuine Yankee dialect, and possess all the characteristics of Yankee humour, its knowing simplicity, and boundless exaggeration, together with a true poetic ring. We must never forget that our author is a poet as well as an humourist, and has written a great deal of beautiful and melodious serious poetry. The scene is laid in Jaalam and the chief characters are the Rev. Homer Wilbur, a simple, humorous, somewhat pedantic New England parson, Hosea Biglow, the village genius, and Mr. Birdofredum Sawin, a clever rascal who, after going through the wars and returning with a wooden leg, intends to put up for the Presidency. In our opinion the best poems in the two series are What Mr. Robinson thinks,' ," "Thrash away, you'll hev to rattle," Jonathan to John," and "The Courtin'." This last, unlike most of Mr. Biglow's productions, is a scene from rustic life. 66 and on some scriptural illustrations by Mr. Sawin." Ole Uncle S. sez he, "I guess Thet's fit for you an' me." - Ole Uncle S. sez he I guess, J. B. was on his shirts, John, Ole Uncle S. sez he I guess (I'm good at thet)," sez he "Thet sauce for goose ain't jest the juice, For ganders with J. B. No more than you or me." You mus'n' take it hard Ole Uncle S. sez he "I guess, O..'s. MARRIAGES. Sept. 29th, at Rajkote, India, Henry Mallaby Abud, Lieut. and Adjutant 13th Regt., N.I., Bombay Staff Corps, only son of the Rev. H. Abud, Rural Dean and Vicar of Uttoxeter, to Rhoda Mary, daughter of the late Henry Banks, Esq., M.D., Co. Wicklow, Ireland. Oct. 9th, at Mandla, Central Provinces, India, Lieut. Edward Charles Stanton, R.E., third son of the Rev. W. H. Stanton, Rector of Hasleton, Gloucestershire, to Caroline Josephine, eldest daughter of Col. Brooke, Bengal Staff Corps. Nov. 13th, in Winchester Cathedral, the Rev. John Henry Hodgson, M.A., Minor Canon of Winchester, and Chaplain of the Royal Hants County Hospital, to Frances Helena, eldest daughter of Commander Clayton Mitchell, R.N., of West Highlands, Winchester. DEATH. Oct. 31st, at Collaroy, Merriwa, N.S.W., of typhoid fever, Charles Farquhar Clive, third son of the late George Clive, of Perrystone, Ross, Herefordshire, aged 37. ARMY. The Rifle Brigade-Lieut. John Sherston to be Captain. A very beautiful stained glass window has been placed in the parish Church of Melksham, by Mr. R. L. Lopes, in memory of his son. It is a perpendicular window of four openings and tracery, with two subjects, each occupying two openings under rich floriated canopies, viz., Christ blessing children, with the text, "Suffer little children to come unto Me," and our Lord raising the son of the Widow of Nain to life, with the text, "Young man, I say unto thee arise." At the bottom of the window is the text, "I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me." Occasional Notes. On Saturday, Nov. 8th, we played the Cirencester Agricultural College and were defeated by one goal and five tries to nil. On Saturday, Nov. 15th, a strong team sent by the Clifton Club defeated us by three goals and four tries to three tries. In justice to ourselves we must add that in the last match we were deprived of the valuable services of our captain and two others of the four remaining members of last year's team. Many of the spectators were allured by a rival match in which various well-known inhabitants of the town were distinguishing themselves. IN semi-final ties of House Matches, Hart-Smith's (Mitre) have beaten Horner's (Cross-Arrows) by one goal and three tries to nil. Way's (Crescent) and Hart-Smith's have now to contest the final tie. IN 2nd ties of House Grounds, Ford's have beaten Baker's, Preshute Horner's, and Way's have drawn the bye. WE hasten to acknowledge an error in our last 'Occasional Notes.' Way's defeated Baker's in 2nd ties of House Matches by two goals and two tries to nil, not two goals and four tries. We observe that the Nomads defeated Haileybury by one goal and two tries to nil. THE Penny Reading Committee for this term has been filled up as follows:-D. E. Martin, T. G. Buchanan, F. E. Bull, R. N. Dundas, H. Woolner, A. F. B. Williams (ex-officio). On Monday, Nov. 10th, the Master gave a halfholiday at the request of the retiring Mayor, Mr. Milburn. We rejoice to see that the energy and adminstrative capabilities. of this men. gentleman have been duly appreciated by his fellow townsHe has been persuaded once more to don the mantle of office. (We allude to the metaphorical one, of course). ON Sunday, Nov. 9th, by leave of the Bishop of Salisbury, the sermon was preached by C. M. Bull, Esq. We believe this is the first occasion on which a lay sermon has been preached here. YESTERDAY the first part of the competition for the Colbeck Reading Prize took place. Each candidate had to read one of five selected passages of poetry. The nine who passed the ordeal with most success will compete again next week. WE are informed that the question of adopting a new Latin Grammar is to be brought forward at the approaching Head-Masters' Conference at Sherborne. THE offertory on Sunday, Nov. 2nd, amounted to £15 14s. 6d. WE acknowledge with thanks the receipt of the following contemporaries :-Cheltonian (with supplement), Mason College Magazine, Ousel, Haileyburian, Our School Times (Londonderry), Lancing College Magazine, Carthusian, Mill Hill Magazine, Fettesian, Rossalian, Wulfrunian (Wolverhampton), Lily, Elizabethan (Westminster), Tonbridgian, Durham University Journal, Breconian, Wykehamist, Lorettonian, Reptonian, Eastbourne Cliftonian, Cliftonian, Glenalmond Chronicle, Horae Scholasticae. To the Editor of the Marlburian. DEAR SIR,-I entirely disagree with your correspondent who suggests that the Removes be turned out of the Library. Your correspondent has evidently taken a minute interest in our studies, by which we hope he was edified. But to come to the point, the Removes are members of the fifth form and not of the fourth. They are therefore excluded from the Reading Room, and the tin edifice, and in most house class rooms there is no room for them. What place of quiet is left them? Surely when the fourth form has hardly sufficient accommodation, it is very ill-advised of your correspondent to propose to crowd some forty more into the already overstocked rooms. Hoping that our rights are not to be thus unconstitutionally overridden, To the Editor of the Marlburian. DEAR SIR,-I have just read the letter against Upper School Singing in your columns, and my Tory blood boils thereat. From the tone of the letter I should say that the mystical name "Svrîta" is a blind to hide from the unwary a radical of that most virulent type, whose only remedy for what he considers an abuse is to rend it up root and branch. But, sir, I am sure the good sense of Marlburians, past and present, will not permit the abolition of such an ancient and characteristic institution as Upper School Singing. Though a person of "Svrîta's" austere and hard working propensities may not agree with me, I venture to assert that there is nothing which gives such hearty relaxation combined with amusement to a good half of the school than to be able to give vent to their feelings in a good healthy roar at some popular song. As to his arguments against it, to his firstly I reply that he is quite welcome to get out of the vicinity of Upper School; to his secondly that the choir rarely if ever attend; and to his thirdly that the song of the aristocratical name of "Beer," which is probably the one that has shocked his sensitive feelings, was not once sung last year having passed, as I hope, into a well-merited oblivion. I remain, Sir, yours etc., TORY. To the Editor of the Marlburian. DEAR SIR, -I write to propose a somewhat radical innovation, but one which I think might well occupy the attention of the "powers that be" in view of the regeneration of Upper School at the completion of the new Chapel. This innovation is that the date and character of Prize Day should be changed. First as to the date; almost all the large schools now have their Prize Days some time in the middle of the summer term. This is a much more convenient time for business men or legal gentlemen, as a great many parents and O.M's are, to get out of town for a day than the end of July when all the press of business comes. Fellows also, I think, would much prefer a gala-day in the middle of the term than at the end of examination, when they only consider as one wasted day taken from the holidays. Secondly, as to character: why should not scenes from Greek plays or from Shakespere be acted by the fellows and speeches made as at every other considerable school? Is it that we have not the talent? Anything surely would be better than our present normal Prize Days. I am sure every. body considers it a great bore to have to see a certain number of prizes delivered, and to hear the brass band play at intervals, which is pretty nearly all that takes place on Prize Day now. Hoping that serious consideration will be given to this question, I remain, Sir, yours, etc., ONE WHO HAS NEVER GOT A PRIZE. To the Editor of the Marlburian. DEAR SIR, I remember seeing some time ago among your correspondence several letters proposing that a school shop should be started. These letters having had no effect, I wish to renew the proposal as being well worthy the consideration of the authorities. The shop might be started on the principal of "small profits, quick returns." There can be little doubt that the shop would be largely patronised, partly because of its being the schoolshop, and partly because if properly managed, the prices would be much lower than those of the present "grub" shops. There would certainly be a difficulty in the choice of a position for the shop. Vague rumours are afloat that the premises of the popular "grub" shop belong to the College, and that the lease will soon expire. If this be so, here is the very opportunity wanted. Let the College use the place for a school shop, and put an able manager at the head. Guarantee a certain salary and a share in the profits, or commission on what he sells. Any surplus might be given to some deserving school institution, or the College Mission Fund. Trusting that this proposal will not be fruitless, I am, etc., FRYLAPIA. |